MORE than 100,000 people are set to descend on the festival which runs for 18 days from Thursday - here we pick out 20 not-to-be-missed shows.

IT’S the most exciting and diverse festival in Scotland and next week kicks off for an incredible 20th year.

Glasgow’s Celtic Connections brings the world of music together, attracting fans of traditional, folk and jazz to roots, world, blues, indie and electro.

No wonder, then, that Connections is in rude health as it kicks off on Thursday for 18 days until February 3. More than 100,000 people will watch the shows, with more than a £1million worth of tickets sold.

The festival’s artistic director, Donald Shaw, who is also a founding member of Capercaillie, said: “Celtic Connections has an international calling.

Celtic Connection's Donald Shaw (Photo: Glasgow Life)

“We have artists from over 25 countries. That spills into the audiences and people travel from all over the world to come.”

A truly global festival, Salif Keita will mix West African sounds with other genres, and Gaelic music will be much in attendance with acts like Flora MacNeil and Ireland’s Peadar Ó Riada.

Accordian and keyboard-player Donald, who is married to Capercaillie’s singer Karen Matheson, has played Celtic Connections every year and became artistic director in 2007.

He added: “We have some big names coming along to help us celebrate in January but there will also be some unique collaborative performances.

“At no other festival do musicians embrace the opportunity to collaborate with acts from different countries and musical genres quite like they do at Celtic Connections.

“As ever, in our 20th year trad and folk will be at the heart of the festival but other musical genres such as world, jazz, blues, electro, Americana and country will also be showcased.”

Here are 20 shows not to be missed:

Celtic Connections 20th Celebration Concert

Thursday, 7.30pm, Royal

Concert Hall

A great way to kick off the celebrations, this will be a chance to look back at the past 20 years and look forward to many more to come with performers including Eddi Reader, Capercaillie, Phil Cunningham and Julie Fowlis.

Old Crow Medicine Show

Feb 1, 7.30pm, Barrowland

Melding southern American roots music with the fire of buskers, the Old Crow Medicine Show supported Mumford & Sons on their 2011 American tour. Their music is political and passionate. A must-see.

The Mavericks

The Mavericks

Jan 22, 7.30pm, Royal Concert Hall

Best known in the UK for top five hit Dance The Night Away in 1998, the American country rockers split in 2003 but reunited last year and are promising a real party spirit for their Glasgow gig.

Martha Wainwright

Jan 29, 7.30pm, Royal

Concert Hall

She was born to play Celtic Connections. The singer is the daughter of American folk singer and actor Loudon Wainwright III and Canadian folk singer-songwriter Kate McGarrigle. Her brother is Rufus. Her third studio album, Come Home To Mama, was released last year.

Tony Benn

Jan 29, 12.30pm, Royal Concert Hall

Britain’s longest-serving Labour MP is back at Celtic Connections and always enthrals his audience. He is back to introduce a preview screening of Will and Testament, an intimate documentary of his life. A Q&A session will follow the screening.

Kate Rusby

Jan 24, Royal Concert Hall

One of folk’s biggest names, her 2012 album 20 has guest spots with stars including Paul Weller, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Eddi Reader and Richard Thompson. Some will be joining her on stage here.

The Big Burns Night

Jan 25, 7.30pm, Royal

Concert Hall

There will be a few Burns birthday celebrations but this may be the best. Includes traditional band Breabach as well as Dougie MacLean, Kathleen MacInnes and Scots Makar Liz Lochhead, who will perform the Immortal Memory.

Caravan Palace

Jan 24, 7.30pm, O2 ABC

One of the most exciting bands in electro pop, the French group marry jazz, swing and electronica to create Gorillaz for the second Roaring 20s.

Duncan Chisholm’s

Strathglass Suite

Jan 26, 8pm, Kelvingrove Art Gallery

Duncan was the first person to play Celtic Connections in 1994 with his band Wolfstone, so it was right and proper the Highland fiddler was back for the 20th.

Roaming Roots Revue

Jan 20, 7.30pm, Royal

Concert Hall

One of the highlights this year. Curated by Roddy Hart, acts such as Beth Orton and Lau and Amy Helm, whose father Levon came up with the idea at his Woodstock Home, will get together for a never-before-seen show.

Salif Keita

Feb 1, 9.30pm, Old Fruitmarket

Known as “the golden voice of Africa”, Salif Keita will be sure to impress with his cross-fertilisation of his native griot traditions and other West African sounds with pop, jazz, Latin and Islamic influences.

Celtic Connections All Star Ceilidh Band

Feb 2, 10.45pm, Royal

Concert Hall

This is very much about audience participation. The main auditorium becomes a dance hall for a night. A perfect way to experience why the festival is so much fun.

Supper will be served in the beautiful surroundings, with music and song from Scotland’s finest performers.

Crowned Best Educational Event at the 2011 Scottish Event Awards

January in the Royal Concert Hall

The Celtic Connections Education Programme enters into its 16th year in 2013. More than 5000 children will enjoy three free schools concerts in the Royal Concert Hall in January. For many of the children in attendance, this will be their first experience of live music.

BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards

Jan 30, 7.15pm, Royal Concert Hall

The annual awards ceremony will take place for the first time in Glasgow. Hosted by Mark Radcliffe and Julie Fowlis, there will be live performances.

Tanita Tikaram

Jan 22, 7.30pm, Mitchell Theatre

In the 1980s, then aged 19, she released debut album Ancient Heart, with songs such as Good Tradition and Twist In My Sobriety. She has continued to captivate and confound and in 2011 began touring again after a decade away. A special treat.

Donnie Munro

Jan 23, 7.30pm, Mitchell Theatre

The former Runrig star makes a welcome return to the stage, taking time out of his work with Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre for the development of the Gaelic language and culture, on the Isle of Skye.

Box & Fiddle Night

Jan 28, 7.30pm, Mitchell Theatre

There are over 70 accordian and fiddle clubs across Scotland. After last year’s sell-out, this night is back with host John Carmichael.

Stanley Odd

Jan 23, 8pm, Old Fruitmarket

Showing that Connections opens its doors to all genres, hip-hop act Stanley Odd headline a great night which will see their collaboration with the Electric String Orchestra.